Duterte warns LGUs, local execs: Ensure speedy vaccination or face sanctions

President Rodrigo Duterte has warned local chief executives that they will face sanctions if they fail to administer COVID-19 vaccines to their constituents in the "most expeditious manner."

Duterte said he directed Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to hold accountable local government units and local chief executives who will be found not performing well in the vaccination rollout.

"I have also ordered Secretary Año to impose the necessary sanction against LGUs and local chief executives who are not performing nor using the doses given to them in the most expeditious manner. I will hold each and every LGU accountable for this," Duterte said in his taped public address aired Wednesday morning.

The President reiterated his directive to the police and the military to use the air assets and provide support and other resources for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in other parts of the country.

He expressed concern over the transportation of vaccines in the regional and provincial level, noting that there seems to be a problem in bringing them to specific areas.

Duterte stressed that he wants the target of one million jabs per day to be met.

"Noon walang bakuna, ngayon 'yung bakuna nandiyan na. Medyo hindi ako... medyo nakuntento to the sense I have reiterated my instruction to agencies to make sure that local government units will receive their daily jab performance so that our country can reach the target of 1 million jabs or more everyday," Duterte said.

"'Yun ang ano, I have ordered Secretary (Carlito) Galvez, the PNP and the AFP to provide all the necessary support for LGUs particularly in the delivery of vaccines and mobilization of resources," he added.

So far, a total of 59.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have already been administered, Duterte said.

Galvez said the national government is aiming to administer one million to 1.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses on a daily basis beginning November 20.

He added the government is also eyeing to administer at least 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine before the end of November.—AOL, GMA News